The announcement of the participant list for the Sunyshore City doubles competition caused an uproar. "Guys, run! Natsume-sensei is particip
The announcement of the participant list for the Sunyshore City doubles competition caused an uproar.
"Guys, run! Natsume-sensei is participating!"
"Isn't he just here to crush Leader Volkner and join a Baby Cup?"
"I think the Baby Cup is the main goal… That's Natsume-sensei we're talking about!"
Though called a "Baby Cup," most participants were elite trainers, including seasoned rookies like Ash who had traveled across multiple regions.
If they united to fight in a round-robin battle to consume Natsume-sensei… they might stand a chance.
However.
When Natsume-sensei's team composition was revealed, the contestants froze.
Larvitar and Togepi—two adorable little babies—
"Is Natsume-sensei here to level up in the Baby Cup?"
"I've seen this episode before—the Piplup Cup! Gastly yyds!"
Back during Natsume-sensei's Baby Cup in Touran, sending out Gastly might have been the best chance to defeat him.
And now… that opportunity was back.
"Run? No way! Winning once would be bragging rights for a year!"
"I refuse to believe that level crushing can lose."
"Brothers, no need to flee. Watch me solo Natsume-sensei!"
Suddenly, the participants were fired up, eager for battle.
The one-day doubles event consisted of three rounds, drawing crowds of spectators.
Banners were even raised near Natsume-sensei's booth.
Flint, who rushed over upon hearing the news, leaned on the railing with a resigned expression.
"Seriously… using a rookie event to level up? Only a Champion would do this."
The kicker? No one objected.
After all, this was a rare chance to make Natsume-sensei lose!
First Round
Natsume and Ash faced a duo of a hiker and a glasses-wearing trainer.
(Natsume couldn't remember their names—just that they were Sinnoh's local elite trainers paired by draw.)
In a flash of light, the opponents sent out Graveler and Tangrowth.
Ash deployed Staraptor, while Natsume tossed a Dusk Ball.
"Go, Larvitar!"
The gray-green little dinosaur emerged with a fierce growl, causing a stir.
For the crowd, seeing a pseudo-legendary's offspring was a rare sight.
Flint studied the freshly hatched Larvitar, its armor gleaming dark green, and muttered:
"Damn… what's he feeding this thing?!"
(Natsume-sensei: Thanks for asking. Just finished feeding it a mansion.)
On the battlefield.
"Don't underestimate us, Natsume-sensei!"
The glasses-wearing trainer adjusted his frames and sneered. "Tangrowth, use Mega Drain!"
Like a small mountain, Tangrowth's crimson vines glowed brightly as they lashed toward Larvitar.
Simultaneously, Graveler rolled forward in a high-speed Rollout, kicking up rubble as it charged.
"Greedy double-targeting."
Natsume commanded, "Focus Graveler first, Larvitar!"
A sense of dread washed over both opponents.
They glanced at the battlefield—the tunnel was visible, but Larvitar had vanished!
"Larvitar~ (￣～￣)"
Larvitar "swam" through the tunnel, digging eagerly as Graveler's Rollout rumbled past.
Tangrowth's vines missed, forcing it to steer towards Staraptor. Staraptor dodged with a dive, wings glowing for an Aerial Ace.
At the same time, Natsume ordered, "Larvitar, Dig!"
Larvitar burst from the ground, its blunt horn slamming into Graveler with monstrous force.
CRACK!
"Graveler!" Graveler roared in pain as its rocky arm split, debris flying.
The sheer brutality left the audience stunned.
"Even with a level advantage, they're getting wrecked."
"Well, it's Natsume-sensei commanding."
"That Dig move is like second nature—way too skilled!"
The hiker grimaced. "Graveler, Brick Break!"
"Graveler!" Graveler's stone fist glowed white as it swung at Larvitar.
Larvitar showed no fear. To it, the incoming fist looked like a delicious mineral snack—
"Larvitar… "
Natsume: "Bite."
"Larvitar!" Larvitar chomped down hard, the impact sending both Pokémon crashing into the ground.
BOOM!!
A crater formed as Graveler was dragged into the dust.
The crowd broke into cold sweats.
"T-this isn't a dark duel, right?!"
(Don't worry—Larvitar wasn't actually crunching Graveler. It just used double Ground-type advantage to knock it out.)
Meanwhile, Staraptor was still tangled with Tangrowth.
"Staraptor!" Ash yelled. "Aerial Ace!"
"Staraptor!" Staraptor's wings gleamed as it sliced through Tangrowth—but the vines lashed out, binding it tightly.
"I told you," the glasses-wearing trainer said smugly. "I'm not just some passerby."
"If I beat you… I might even defeat Natsume-sensei!"
CRASH!
Tangrowth slammed Staraptor into the ground.
But as it turned—
WHAM!
A flying "pavement slab" smacked it in the face.
The glasses-wearing trainer stared blankly at Larvitar.
Natsume: "Larvitar, Rock Throw."
"Larvitar! (▼へ▼メ)"
Larvitar hurled another "slab," nailing Tangrowth square in the vines.
Dizzy, Tangrowth swung wildly—only for another rock to solve the problem.
The crowd gaped as the massive Tangrowth toppled over.
Larvitar stood triumphantly in the ruined battlefield, casually munching on a rock.
"Larvitar~ (￣～￣)"
The stands erupted.
"Holy crap, Larvitar just 1v2'd?!"
"Larvitar's so cute! Mom loves you!!"
"It's a Baby Cup, but the action is insane!"
Organizers exchanged glances, wiping sweat.
"Should we… just give Natsume-sensei the prize now?"
"At this rate, the repair costs will exceed the prize money!"
"No… I think Natsume-sensei's real goal is the all-you-can-eat buffet for Larvitar!"
Post-Battle
Natsume shook hands with the glasses-wearing trainer.
"That was a tough battle."
The trainer teared up, removing his glasses to wipe his eyes.
To push Natsume-sensei's Larvitar to its limits…
This might be a story he'd boast about forever.
"I told you, Natsume-sensei… don't underestimate passers-by."
They fist-bumped, and the trainer walked off.
Natsume watched him go, moved.
Was this… the power of the underdog?
He then turned to Ash.
"Sorry, Natsume-sensei," Ash scratched his head awkwardly. "I didn't do well…"
"It's fine." Natsume patted his shoulder. "Two more rounds to go."
Which meant two more buffets for Larvitar!
...
The sun set, casting a golden glow over Sunyshore City's port.
The doubles battle tournament had also come to an end.
Their second-round opponents were a bikini-clad woman and a miniskirt-wearing trainer.
The finals pitted them against a Pokémon fan and a businessman.
Thanks to Larvitar's stellar performance, Natsume-sensei didn't even need to send out Togepi, swiftly securing victory.
*"Togepi doo-ee~（○｀3′○）"
Togepi, sulking inside its Poké Ball for missing the action, was thoroughly displeased.
"Sirfetch'd! (′︿‵)"
Meanwhile, inside its Premier Ball, Sirfetch'd wept tears of joy.
Thank goodness… If I can raise Larvitar well enough…
I can finally slack off without guilt~!
"That bikini trainer was something else," Natsume remarked to Ash.
"Yeah, her Starmie almost turned the tables on us," Ash agreed.
Natsume: "…"
My bad. That one's on me.
The tournament prize—a Hard Stone—was now in hand. For Larvitar, who had only eaten to about 70% fullness, it made for a perfect dessert.
As for the battlefield… insurance would cover the repair costs.
Though it might mean future bans on "Larvitar" or "Natsume-sensei" from participating…
Natsume cleared his throat and examined the gleaming black Hard Stone.
The Hard Stone boosted the power of Rock-type moves.
For Larvitar, it could help master tougher techniques like Rock Slide.
Moreover, the nutrients Larvitar absorbed now would fuel its evolution into Pupitar later.
So rare minerals like this were always welcome.
"This thing wasn't easy to get," Natsume said, handing the Hard Stone to Larvitar after its first victory. He patted its head and added sternly,
"In the future, you might face even stronger opponents… Are you sure you're ready?"
Natsume's intention was to let Larvitar weigh the risks.
If it meant getting hurt just for food, that wasn't something he wanted.
But for Larvitar, it was like discovering a whole new world.
Crunch, crunch.
As it chewed the delicious Hard Stone, its eyes sparkled.
So if I win battles… I get to eat stuff this good?!
"Larvitar! "
Larvitar nodded fervently at Natsume, full of determination.
I'll fight my hardest—for more meals like this!
Satisfied, Natsume gave an approving nod.
According to Giovanni's Techniques, the next moves to teach were Bulldoze and Stomping Tantrum—both wide-range Ground-type attacks Larvitar could learn.
Compared to Dig or the ultimate Earthquake, these were slightly less destructive to the battlefield.
"I'll have Larvitar try them at Sunyshore Gym," Natsume thought.
Their next stop was the Sunyshore Gym's open tournament.
Flint had arranged a hotel for Ash and Natsume-sensei, politely suggesting that Larvitar shouldn't wander off alone.
"No problem!" Natsume agreed readily.
Moe-Moe! is visiting tonight. I'll bring Larvitar to meet her.
She's been busy lately…
Surely she didn't prepare a new move just for Larvitar… Probably…
--------------------------------------
No More Waiting - The Story is Complete!
Love what you're reading? Get instant access to the entire story—all 250+ chapters are available right now!
👉 Unlock everything: patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------